Andover

Andover , town (1990 pop. 29,151), Essex co., NE Mass.; inc. 1646. Chiefly a textile producer in the 19th cent., Andover now makes toiletries, electronic and computer equipment, chemicals, medical instruments, rubber products, and shoes. Two preparatory schools (Phillips Andover Academy, 1778, for boys; and Abbot Academy, 1829, for girls) in Andover merged in 1973. The Addison Gallery of American Art and the Robert S. Peabody Foundation archaeological museum are on the Phillips Andover campus. In 1832, Samuel Francis Smith wrote the words for "America" in Andover. Harriet Beecher Stowe lived in the town and is buried there.

Andover, UK, USA 1. UK (England): formerly Afondwfr, Andeferas, and Andever/Andovere. Lying on the small River Anton, previously Ann or Anna, the town's name is Celtic in origin and means ‘(Place by) Ash Tree Waters’ from afon, which was sometimes pronounced Oun and then onna or anna to give the river name Ann ‘ash tree’, and dwfr, a generic word for ‘water’ or ‘stream’. In due course this evolved through dubro into dever and dover.2. USA: towns in Massachusetts, originally called Cochicewick, a Native American name meaning ‘Great Cascade’, and Vermont, are named after the town in England.

Andover Hants. Andeferas 955, Andovere 1086 (DB). ‘(Place by) the ash-tree waters’. Celtic river-name Ann (an earlier name for the River Anton and Pillhill Brook) with the Celtic word also found in Dover.